Events to mark how city began

By TIM YOVICH VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF HUBBARD -- Nancy Praznik is not only the wife of Mayor George Praznik but also the head of the community's bicentennial committee. She says plans are shaping up for the celebration set for June 30 -July 1. The event replaces Founders Day this year. "I started about a year ago talking to people, and now I'm in charge," Praznik said with a laugh. The theme will center on Hubbard's becoming a settlement in 1801. Founders: The community is named after Nehemiah Hubbard Jr., who bought a portion of what is now township land from the Connecticut Land Co. Hubbard's agent, Samuel Tylee, became the first settler. One event will be the rededication of Tylee Park, named after the first settler. Praznik said only local vendors will be permitted to participate "because we want our people involved." The first day of the weekend celebration will begin at the Harding Park pavilion with a breakfast and an evening parade so merchants can participate. July 1 events begin with church services and then breakfast at Harding Park. Sunday evening will feature music for senior citizens, a program by the Hubbard Community Choir and fireworks at dusk. Daily events: From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, there will be games, a Boy Scout encampment, display of vintage tractors, live music and disc jockeys, Civil War re-enactors, antique cars, crafts and baseball and softball games. "There will be a lot of things to do," Praznik said. The mayor's wife has been meeting monthly with a group of volunteers and members of civic organizations to get prepared. "It's been a lot of fun," she noted. The community has an interesting history. Tylee had a brother, Sylvester, who came here in 1802 and settled near his brother in a part of the area that was sometimes called Tylee's Corners. Among other early settlers was Jeremiah Wolf, who came from New Jersey. He was a nail maker and made the nails that Samuel Tylee used to build homes. There were so many people like Wolf who came from New Jersey that one road was called Jersey Street.